Patients have say on walk-in centres

Health chiefs have thanked hundreds of patients for making themselves heard on the future of two Derby walk-in centres.

NHS Southern Derbyshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), which plans and buys healthcare for 525,000 patients, is reviewing services at the Walk-In Centre, in Osmaston Road, and Derby Open Access Centre in St. Thomas’ Road.

The review is needed as contracts for services provided at the centres come to an end in March 2015.

The CCG has been consulting the public on five options:

No change to services at either site

Combine the two services on one site

Locate both services at Royal Derby Hospital’s A & E department

Close the Walk-In Centre and enhance the Open Access Centre Close the Open Access Centre and enhance the Walk-In Centre.

At a public meeting held by the CCG in Derby’s Assembly Rooms on Wednesday (13 November), commissioners revealed that 81 per cent of the 1,217 people who had taken part in a survey wanted services to stay the same.

Dr Sheila Newport, Chair of NHS Southern Derbyshire CCG, said:

“I want to thank the hundreds of people who’ve taken part in the 90-day consultation by completing our questionnaire or attending our two public meetings.

“We’re now going to recommend to our governing body of GPs that we follow public opinion by keeping services as they are. But that doesn’t mean there’s nothing left to decide. The contracts won’t go out to tender until January, and it’s possible that new organisations may be chosen to provide these services.

“The location of the centres will depend on the provider, and may or may not be in their current buildings. But we’re recommending that, whatever happens, we retain services that meet patients’ needs in the same areas of the city.”

Until the consultation closes on 30 November, patients can continue to have their say by visiting Southern Derbyshire CCG or calling 0800 032 3235.

Infections, rashes, fractures and minor burns are among conditions treated at the centres. They ease pressure on A & E at the Royal Derby, freeing up hospital consultants to deal with life-threatening emergencies.

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS:

NHS Southern Derbyshire CCG represents 57 GP practices and is responsible for the healthcare of 525,000 people. It is one of four clinical commissioning groups in Derbyshire.